ALASHOCK'S BLOG

APPRAISAL: Declaration Of State Of Emergency Is Yielding Positive Results – President Jonathan

2013-05-20T07:28:00.000+01:00

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday [May 19], thanked Nigerians for the overwhelming support they gave to the state of emergency which he declared last week in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The President also noted that efforts of the Armed Forces have already started yielding positive results.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe said:

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for the overwhelming support they have given to the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

The President also thanked the leadership of the National Assembly and many of its members, who have through calls and personal visitations, given solidarity and support for this extraordinary step taken by the President to halt the mindless killings, bombings and general insecurity that had prevailed in that part of the country.

The statement also noted that “available information confirms that the insurgents have been dislodged from their previously safe havens and camps while many have been apprehended, and their activities in the affected states have been brought to a total halt”.

The President thanked the “Governors of the federation, especially the Northern states governors Forum; Leaders and Elders in the North, traditional rulers, religious leaders, cultural and political groups nationwide including opposition political parties, civil society organisations and the Media”.

Dr. Okupe said the President was appreciative of the efforts, loyalty, commitment and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who have demonstrated commendable patriotism and gallantry in compliance with the order of the Commander-in chief.

The statement added that “President Jonathan has called on Nigerians from all walks of life, ethnic origins and religious affiliations, to rally round the Federal Government in this period of national travail in order that collectively, we will achieve success in this major fight against terror in our land, and return peace and stability to our nation with its attendant prosperity, growth and development in the affected region.

“The President has promised that at all times, the Federal Government will not relent or spare any effort that will guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians, and that all manner of criminality in our country would be fought uncompromisingly with all the powers and might available to the Federal Government,” the statement said.

Four Police Officers Arrested Including An ASP, For Aiding The Escape Of A Kidnap Kingpin From Police Cell In Asaba

2013-05-20T07:19:00.000+01:00

Police in Delta State have arrested and detained four police officers, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sergeant and Corporal, for allegedly aiding the escape of a kidnap kingpin from police cell in Asaba, weekend.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed the detention of the police officers to Vanguard yesterday [May 19].

Investigations showed that soon after he escaped, the kidnap kingpin from the South-East region called the complainant in the case to inform him that he had paid his way out of police cell and he should get ready for him.

Vanguard’s source said:

“The complainant and his family fled their location to an unknown place, same night the escapee kidnap suspect called him. You can imagine what some greedy police officers have caused the man and his family”.

Commissioner Aduba in a terse SMS said: “Detention and investigation ordered, appropriate sanction will be applied.”

He later told Vanguard on phone:

“The stand of the Inspector General of Police is very clear: any police officer involved in any criminal matter is on his own. The matter is being investigated. You know me, I do not condone nonsense and we will remain focussed in our fight against criminals in the state”.

A police officer, who spoke to Vanguard said:

“What happened is a shame. Police officers collected money from the kidnapper, brought by members of his gang and they brought him out. A person who was on handcuffs, they unchained him and one of them claimed he was going to cut his hair or do something upstairs”.

I even heard that they gave him police uniform to wear and he walked out of the police station in Asaba and they are there telling cock and bull stories that they do not know he was a kidnapper. This is not the first time this kind of thing is happening, but I know the Commissioner will not spare anybody. That is their own cup of tea.

MAG FAB: Renowned Nigerian Novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Covers Guardian Life Magazine

2013-05-20T07:10:00.001+01:00

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned Nigerian novelist...She was recently named one of the twenty most important fiction writers under 40 years old by The New Yorker.

A graduate of Communication/Political Science from Eastern Connecticut State University and Masters degrees holder in Creative Writing and African Studies from Johns Hopkins and Yale Universities respectively.

She featured in the April 2012 edition of Time Magazine, celebrated as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Chimamanda covers this week’s edition of Guardian Life Magazine and in there she told her own story.

Woman Seeks Divorce To End Her 7-Year-Old Marriage In Lagos...For Lack Of Sexual Satisfaction

2013-05-18T20:29:00.007+01:00

A former airline cashier, Mrs Grace Oguche, pleaded with an Agege Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Lagos to dissolve her seven-year old marriage to her husband, Mr Maxwell Madu, over his alleged poor performance in bed and being unemployed.

”Ever since we got married, I hardly enjoyed sex with my husband”, she said in her testimony in chief. My husband does not perform well on bed. It was God’s grace that we had the only child of the union. My husband maltreats me, calls me a prostitute”.

She added that her husband failed in his responsibilities and she was the one taking care of the house, yet he never appreciated her.

“I want the court to dissolve the marriage because he is unable to satisfy me in bed and not responsible at home”.

Meanwhile, Madu denied the allegations and said, “I agreed with her bid to dissolve the union. Because of my state of unemployment, my wife went to another man’s house for sex”.

”My wife is never satisfied with sex, rather she complains so that she could get it somewhere else. I love my wife, but I do not understand why her attitude changed towards me. My wife comes home late, flirts around with different men and at times, she does not come home.

“So, I want the dissolution of the marriage because my wife gets sexual satisfaction outside”. Court president, Mr Emmanuel Shokunle, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case to May 20 for further hearing.

Woman Seeks Divorce To End Her 7-Year-Old Marriage In Lagos...For Lack Of Sexual Satisfaction

2013-05-18T20:29:00.005+01:00

She added that her husband failed in his responsibilities and she was the one taking care of the house, yet he never appreciated her.

“I want the court to dissolve the marriage because he is unable to satisfy me in bed and not responsible at home”.

Meanwhile, Madu denied the allegations and said, “I agreed with her bid to dissolve the union. Because of my state of unemployment, my wife went to another man’s house for sex”.

PHOTOS: Beyoncé Hits Back At Pregnancy Rumours In Online Rant...“I Laugh At These Low Life People”

2013-05-18T12:48:00.000+01:00

Beyoncé is clearly not happy about the pregnancy buzz in the press. After days of speculation multiple sources confirmed with E! News that she is in fact expecting her second child with Jay-Z.

But the pop singer was obviously frustrated with the rumours as she posted a sharply worded note to Instagram appearing to address the gossip head-on.

Congratulations Jay-Z & Beyonce... bit.ly/Z1DmK9
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) May 17, 2013

The note posted on the 31-year-old singer's Instagram account reads:

I can't stop the rumors from starting, and I can't really change peoples minds who believe them, all I can do is sit back and laugh at these low life people who have nothing better to do than talk about me.

The message has since been removed from her Instagram account.

Suspicions were first sparked by the careful camouflage of the Givenchy gown the singer wore to attend the Met Ball in New York.

The high waisted bodice with a detailed pattern made it hard to see the superstar's actual shape.

But it was when the Destiny's Child alum had to cancel her Mrs. Carter Show performance in Antwerp, Belgium on Tuesday citing 'dehydration and exhaustion' that the rumour mill went into overdrive.

The star recently told ABC News that she 'would like more children' and that she feels 16-month-old Blue Ivy could do with some company.

Meanwhile, TMZ tried to squeeze information from Bey's friend, Kelly Rowland. She yelled 'what?' when confronted by the news but went onto be so bashful that it became clear she probably knew more.

INTERVIEW: I Am Not Dating Uti Nwachukwu...We Are Nothing More Than Just Friends – Nollywood Actress, Beverly Naya

2013-05-18T08:16:00.002+01:00

Beverly Naya

Fast rising Nollywood actress, Beverly Naya, is known for turning heads at red carpet events. During a recent interview with PUNCH’s Ademola Olonilua, she spoke about growing up, her acting career, dating former BBA winner, Uti Nwachukwu, among others.

Excerpts:

What were your early days like?

Both my parents are British; my mother was actually born there. I was born and raised in London. Growing up was fun for me. I am an only child, so it was relatively quiet. It was not really boring for me because I have a lot of cousins, they are more than 20. I cannot even count. I always found myself hanging out with them because a lot of them live in London and in America, so there is always something to do.

Why did you decide to come to Nigeria?

I came to Nigeria because I love acting and the country has a thriving industry, Nollywood. It provides me with the opportunity to act as often as possible. That is the main reason.

Have you ever faced sexual harassment in the industry?

There was no sexual harassment for me, not at all. I have not experienced it and I do not think I ever will. My experience since getting into Nollywood has been a positive one. I was fortunate enough to work with veteran actors and directors as well. I think I have had a good experience and it can only get better. I like to have a good rapport with everybody I’m working with. I like to be professional to the core. Most of the directors and producers I have worked with have a really good relationship with my mother. She is my manager. So, that helped the situation a great deal. They all respect my mother and we all have a family type of relationship, so to them, I am like a little sister.

Who was the first guy you had a crush on?

It was when I was in college. He was really handsome, tall dark skinned and had the most beautiful eyes. I am blushing by just remembering him. He was very very handsome. That was my first real crush. We talked and ended up being in a relationship, so it worked out just fine. My first celebrity crush however was Sisquo. I had the biggest crush on Sisquo when I was young. The crush is dead now. When I think about it, I want to throw up. There is no crush for him now; I don’t feel anything at all. Before, it was really bad. I had about 300 posters of him. It was really bad. I don’t even know how my crush got that crazy.

How do you cope with advances from men?

It is always flattering just to be appreciated for your looks or your talent but I don’t let it get to my head at all. It bugs me when the man is too persistent. I have had some experiences, situations where the man would ask for my number, I would say I wasn’t unavailable. They say please I would really like to get to know you and I say I have a boyfriend and they say ‘you do, but can I get to know you anyway?’

Men need to understand that ‘no’ means ‘no.’ I am not trying to be disrespectful; it is just me trying to move on with my life without you, nothing personal.

Did you and Uti ever date?

We are not dating. Uti and I are nothing more than just friends. My boyfriend did not like the rumours. He did not find it funny. You cannot just be in a relationship and your lover is reading things like that about you with somebody else. Jealousy will definitely set in because he is romantically linked with you and nobody would appreciate that. You really have to prove that really there is nobody else except that person you are with.

Former BBA Winner, Uti Nwachukwu and Beverly Naya

Describe your dream man

My dream man should be basically tall, handsome, ambitious, God-fearing and knows how to treat a woman.

What is your selling point?

If it is physically, I do not know but I get compliments on my eyes and my lips a lot. So, I’ll say maybe that is what it is, but I don’t know. I’m a very good kisser though.

...BONUS...

Actress, Beverly Naya and Uti Nwachukwu stepped out together At Nollywood movie Award last year

PICTURED: I Rape Elderly Women To Satisfy My Sexual Urge Because Young Girls Are Difficult – Claimed A Rapist In Enugu State

2013-05-18T07:45:00.001+01:00

ALLEGED RAPIST: Nnanna Osondu

Nnanna Osondu of Opi community in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State is a young man with all the appetites of his age mates. But he would rather satisfy his sexual appetite, which he described as “large” with elderly women whom he raped. Reason is ... “None of these young girls around is ready to befriend me”, he claimed.

Rape, though an abominable act is commonly practised among people of sexually active age, but for Osondu, his delight and taste is for women far past menopause. Osondu, said to be in his early 30s, does no serious work for a living. It was reported that he had approached several young women in the community for friendship, but none reciprocated. So, he neither has a wife nor is he courting any one at the moment.

In meeting his desire for sex, Osondu resorted to raping elderly women whom he later claimed were better than many young girls around. But having carnal knowledge of these elderly women, many old enough to be his grandmother, did not come cheap.

Osondu reportedly scouts round the community in the day time, for his prey, and once he gets them, he goes after them at night. Since the alleged rapist could not lure these elderly women with any material item, he reportedly threatened them with a knife he usually concealed in his trousers.

Apart from threatening to kill the elderly women should they refuse him sex, Osondu also carefully selected those women who live alone in their homes.

For months now, Osondu had successfully raped about a dozen elderly women whose age averaged 60 years old. Luck, however, ran out on Osondu Tuesday, last week, when a victim rebuffed his threat to kill her and managed to raise the alarm which drew the attention of passersby. That was around 4:30p.m on a bush path in the community.

It was reported that a day before Osondu planned to carry out his crime against the fair-skinned elderly woman, he had visited the woman pretending to want to buy an item from her.

The woman was reportedly alone at the time Osondu visited her. With the knowledge of the woman going to the market the following day to get some items into her shop, the rapist traced her to the market.

But on her way from the market, he reportedly waylaid the woman at a nearby bush brandishing his knife at the woman, and then asking her for sex. The woman, identity concealed, rebuffed his death threats and started shouting at the top of her voice hoping to attract attention.

The woman soon got help from other villagers returning from the market, who surrounded Osondu and gave him some beating before he was handed over to law enforcement agents. Osondu was later transferred to the Enugu State Criminal Investigations Department where he is reportedly cooperating with the police.

When confronted with the allegation that he was using the women for rituals, Osondu denied the allegation, but claimed that he only ‘used’ the women to satisfy his sexual urge.

“It is not true that I use the women for ritual. The truth is that I have a big appetite for sex and none of these young girls around is ready to befriend me. So I resolve to going for the elderly women,” he said.

The truth is that young ladies in this town make life difficult for you once you do not have money to spend on them,” he said. Ebere Amaraizu, Enugu State Police Command spokesman, who confirmed the incident, thanked members of the community for apprehending the suspect.

- National Mirror

PICTURED: Midwife Who Collected N4.2 Million From Two Women For “Miracle Babies” – A MUST READ!!!

2013-05-18T07:15:00.004+01:00

When women are unable to conceive and bear children, the huge psychological toll makes them fall prey to fraudulent people and patrons of ‘baby factories’. Desope Cecilia, 61, and Joy Ibe, 43, were among victims of a midwife, Oby George, who promised them ‘miracle’ twins and triplets respectively.

Credit: TheNATION

While the midwife was being paraded before journalists at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, on Friday [May 17], the victims told their stories, with faces covered for security reasons.

Cecilia said she had not been able to give her 78-year-old husband a child since they got married.

She stated:

“A lady who knew I had tried to conceive without success for a long time, told me about the midwife (George). The lady gave me the phone number of the woman and I learnt her clinic is in Port Harcourt. When I got there in March 2012, she explained to me that she would be able to treat me with herbs and I would get pregnant. I was told to pay N1.5m, which I paid to her.

She gave me some herbs to take back to Lagos with me and take for nine months. I took the herbs religiously. My tummy began to swell, and my feet too. Those were the only signs I had that made me think I was pregnant.

Within the nine-month period that her tummy protruded like that of a pregnant woman, she visited no hospital. “The midwife told me not to go for any scan or ante-natal care. She told me that if I did, they would not see anything because what I was carrying was a ‘miracle’ pregnancy”, she said.

Asked if she ever saw any sign associated like lactation during the period, Cecillia said she never knew it was a fake pregnancy. “I thought it was normal. Since my belly was growing bigger and my feet swell up, I thought I was indeed pregnant”, she said.

In her ninth month, Cecilia embarked on her delivery journey to the house used by George as clinic for her ‘miracle deliveries’ in Omiagbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. When she arrived the house, the midwife prepared her for delivery with another round of concoctions.

“She also gave me a strange seed. I don’t know what it is called. When I chewed the seeds, I had to go to the toilet for bowel movement. She also gave me a drug that made me very tired.

“I was laid on a bed after that. The midwife asked me to start pushing. I began to push really hard. I was half-conscious. Suddenly, I heard the cry of a baby, then another”. Cecilia said she left George’s clinic, thinking she had indeed been blessed with ‘miracle twins’.

Credit: PUNCH

Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ngozi Braide, told journalists that on April 16, 2013, Cecilia took the twins for immunisation at the Amuwo Odofin Health Centre, Lagos.

“But the medical officials at the centre were suspicious that Cecilia was not the biological mother of the twins. They then alerted the Area A Police Command. During investigation, she told the police that they were ‘miracle babies’.

“Our men got the address of the midwife and went to Port Harcourt, where she was arrested. Investigation still continues to ensure we apprehend other members of her cartel. The twins are currently with the SOS Children’s Village, Isolo”, Braide said.

The second victim (Ibe) was found in George’s house when the police got there. In Ibe’s case, she wanted triplets. For that, she had to pay N2.7m to George for the babies.

Like Cecilia, Ibe was referred to George by a friend. She contacted the midwife few months after Cecilia did.

After I went to Port Harcourt to meet the midwife, I paid the N2.7m and I was given some herbs which I drank as concoction regularly. My belly began to grow and my feet became swollen too. The midwife told me not to go to the hospital for scan or any ante-natal. I went to Port Harcourt to ask when I would be due for delivery.

“She told me I was not due yet. Since it was too late to go back to Lagos, I slept over at her house. It was when I was there that police came to arrest her”.

No one could have doubted that both Ibe and Cecilia were pregnant as both women appeared with swollen tummies and feet.

George said her business was “helping women who want to get pregnant.”

She told journalists:

I am 50 years old. I have been doing this business for over a year. In the case of the other woman (Cecilia), I was not the one who provided the babies.

“Helen Okoro, who introduced her to me, was the one who brought the twins and we made it look like she was the one who delivered them. It is true I collected N1.5m from her and N2.7m from the other woman.

“The herb I give them was to induce the swollen tummies and feet. Helen Okoro has run away now.”

But George dodged questions as she was being interviewed by journalists. When asked about the name of the herbs and seeds she gave to her customers, she replied, “I don’t know.”

Asked how many of such women she had ever ‘delivered’, she answered, “I cannot remember.”

Curiously, Cecilia said she was bleeding like a freshly delivered mother during her ‘delivery’. George provided a frightening insight into how this was made possible.

“When we asked her to push, we used a blade to cut part of her private part, so that she would bleed”, she said.

George denied knowledge of where the babies given to Cecilia came from. She said Okoro was responsible for that part of the deal.

This case is coming on the heels of the recent discovery of some baby factories in Abia and Enugu recently.

The police have yet to confirm if the babies involved in this case were bought from one of such factories.

Uganda Is Most Ethnically Diverse Country On Earth While South Korea Comes Bottom

2013-05-18T00:05:00.001+01:00

Uganda has been revealed as the most ethnically mixed country on the planet according to a new scientific study that blows apart misconceptions that western nations are the most racially diverse.

This map shows the planet's most and least ethnically diverse nations in the world. The countries in green are the most diverse, while those in red are the least

Academics at Harvard University's Institute for Economic Research spent a painstaking 11 years studying 650 different ethnic groups across 190 countries. Using data from sources including national censuses, Encyclopedia Brittanica, the CIA, Minority Rights Group International and a 1998 study called 'Ethnic Groups Worldwide', scientists gave each country.

Using that data, they worked out an 'ethnicity rating' for each country based on the question: If you picked two people at random in any nation and asked them their ethnicity, what are the chances that they would give a different answer?

And as this map shows, it has thrown up some rather unexpected results.

Uganda is home to more than 40 different indigenous ethnic groups, including the Baganda, Iteso, Basoga and Banyankore - all of which have their own languages, cultures and customs.

While the East African nation tops the list, at the bottom came South Korea which was classed the world's most homogenous nation. But perhaps what will prove most surprising to some, Europe is revealed as the least ethnically diverse continent on the planet, with the UK and France as two of the most.

The revelation will stick with certain right-wing political parties who claim that mass immigration has diluted indigenous culture and custom and left their societies with little or no tangible sense of national identity.

At the other end of the scale, Africa is exposed as the world's most racially diverse continent. Indeed, the top 20 most diverse nations in the world are all in Africa.

Meanwhile, the US came almost exactly in the middle with Canada ranked more diverse than its southern neighbour. The study comes after the global social attitudes study claimed that the most racially intolerant populations are all in the developing world, with Bangladesh, Jordan and India in the top five.

By contrast, the study of 80 countries over three decades found Western countries were most accepting of other cultures with Britain, the U.S., Canada and Australia more tolerant than anywhere else.

WTF!!! Teenager Arrested For Biting Boyfriend's Penis After He Refused To Have Sex

2013-05-17T23:31:00.000+01:00

Krystle Harrison with boyfriend Jeffrey Wilkinson

A teenager has been arrested for biting her boyfriend's penis – after he refused to have sex with her.

Krystle Harrison, 19, was in bed with Jeffrey Wilkinson, 24, at their home when the excruciating attack happened.

She began caressing him but he rejected her advances, telling Krystle “several times that he did not want to partake”, cops said.

Angered, the teen grabbed him and bit into his genitals, according to police.

Jeffrey told cops how he managed to push Krystle away and fled their home in Bradenton, Florida.

But his girlfriend of three years followed him outside and allegedly slapped him in the face and spat at him.

Krystle was arrested for domestic battery but Jeffrey – who is the father of her child – has said he does not want to press charges.

CONFIRMED! Beyoncé Is Pregnant! Singer Expecting Baby No. 2 With Jay-Z

2013-05-17T23:21:00.001+01:00

After weeks of speculation after Beyoncé Knowles-Carter was photographed sporting what appeared to be a baby bump during the European leg of her Mrs Carter World Tour, E! News is confirming the singer is indeed expecting.

Sources close to Jay-Z have let the cat out of the bag just days after Beyoncé cancelled one of her tour dates due to “dehydration” and “exhaustion”.

That’s right:

Superstar supermom Beyoncé is expecting her second child with hubby Jay-Z, multiple sources exclusively confirm to E! News.

The news follows rampant speculation that the “Countdown” songbird was pregnant, even as the couple remained tight-lipped about their ever-growing family.

Fans have already expressed disappointment when rumours began circulating about Beyoncé possibly being pregnant because not only is/was everyone waiting for her highly-anticipated album to drop but what happens to those who have tickets for future dates of the tour?

Congrats to the Carter family!

Beyonce shocked everyone when she showed up to the MTV Awards, revealing her pregnancy back in September 2011.

PIG PRANK: Stoke FC Launched An Investigation After A Bloody PIG’S HEAD Was Found In Kenwyne Jones’ Locker

2013-05-17T21:00:00.001+01:00

SNOUT OF ORDER ... Brek Shea holds aloft the pig's head which was found in Kenwyne Jones' locker

Stoke have launched an investigation after a bloody PIG’S HEAD was found in Kenwyne Jones’ locker. The Trinidad and Tobago striker’s girlfriend took to Twitter to rant about the training ground prank.

A picture of the pig’s head was posted on Instagram by Potters winger Brek Shea this afternoon. The American is seen holding the animal by its ears with the caption “Locker room banter gone wild!”.

Jones, 28, was reported to be furious at the incident and allegedly threw a brick through Glenn Whelan’s car window in response. Republic of Ireland international Whelan was said to be behind the thoughtless joke.

Jones' girlfriend, Kissa Abdullah, hit out at her fella’s team-mates in a series of tweets.

Big men acting like kids a pigs head is not a prank its just disgusting!!!!! Wtf??? I don't get how was that sup 2 be funny!!!! Really???
— Kissa Abdullah (@kissakj) May 17, 2013

@theswin they put a huge bloody pigs head in his clothes at training! He warned them 2 keep him out of the banter or else! u kno the rest
— Kissa Abdullah (@kissakj) May 17, 2013

Listen 4 all those who don't get it lay the f! back! Where I come from that's not anywhere close 2 funny! Esp not knowing religious beliefs
— Kissa Abdullah (@kissakj) May 17, 2013

It just takes a minute to be sensitive to someone's beliefs no one says u can't have a sense of humour but let it be a joke! This wasn't!
— Kissa Abdullah (@kissakj) May 17, 2013

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions mine is I don't agree wrapping a pigs head in his clothes!
— Kissa Abdullah (@kissakj) May 17, 2013

Stoke later released a statement which read:

The club takes seriously reports of an incident at our training ground this afternoon.

A full internal investigation will be carried out and those responsible for any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.

Potters boss Tony Pulis also vowed to get to the bottom of exactly what had gone on.

The incident comes just days after former Stoke striker Michael Owen was also on the receiving end of an unwelcome prank. He posted a picture on Twitter of his black Mercedes C63 covered in eggs and flour.

Michael Owen's car was sabotaged by Stoke team-mates

Owen, 33, will retire from football after Sunday’s trip to Southampton.

The ex-England striker tweeted on Sunday:

This is what I will miss once I hang up my boots! Looks like I may be delayed getting to the match. “It’s a long week lads. Revenge is in the air! Chief suspects: Whitehead and Whelan. Huth is a possible too.

“Walters is a possible. Others who can’t be ruled out: Crouch, Etherington”.

This is what I will miss once I hang up my boots! Looks like I may be delayed getting to the match. #eggs&flour twitter.com/themichaelowen…
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) May 12, 2013

It's a long week lads. Revenge is in the air! Chief suspects: Whitehead and Whelan. Huth is a possible too. twitter.com/themichaelowen…
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) May 12, 2013

Walters is a possible. Others who can't be ruled out: Crouch, Ethrington.
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) May 12, 2013

FAB PICS: Amber Rose Displays Her Post-Pregnancy Curves In A Flattering Ivory Dress...Wonderful In White!!!

2013-05-17T17:51:00.000+01:00

It’s no surprise Amber Rose was looking happy and comfortable in her fitted attire on Thursday [May 16] after she had a healthy lunch...She was known for her curvaceous body even before she was pregnant.

The 29-year-old was spotted leaving Urth Caffe in West Hollywood wearing a white mini dress which showed of her thighs and ample derrière.

The V-neck item also drew attention to her cleavage but carefully concealed much of her stomach area with a sheer overlaying piece of material.

Amber looked fashionable as she donned a Christian Lacroix gold chain necklace and toted a black Chanel bag on her shoulder with the frock which allowed her arm of tattoos to be seen.

The blonde covered her mouth in orangey-pink lipstick and wore comfortable ivory sandals.

Amber gave birth to baby son Sebastian Taylor Thomaz in February. It is her first child with rapper fiancé Wiz Khalifa, who she is expected to tie the knot with soon.

Full Scale War In Northern Nigeria As Military Killed 20 Boko Haram Members

2013-05-17T15:13:00.001+01:00

At least 20 insurgents were killed Friday [May 17] as Nigeria’s military carried out an aerial bombardment of suspected militant Islamist camps in the country’s northeast, a Defence Ministry spokesman told the CNN.

The raid by Nigerian Air Force jets and attack helicopters is part of what the military says is a “massive deployment” of Nigerian forces this week to tackle insurgent groups, including Boko Haram.

“Our military has overrun a number of the militants’ camps in north and central Borno state”, said defence spokesman Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade.

“Within those insurgents’ camps, we discovered that they have been storing sophisticated, high-calibre weapons including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons”. Asked if the military had inflicted any casualties on the insurgents, Olukolade said, definitely so. Conservatively speaking, over 20 dead so far.

Members of the armed forces have suffered only minor injuries, according to Olukolade.

“The operation continues, we are injecting even more troops and resources into those areas”, he added.

The military operation was announced Wednesday, a day after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The president blamed “terrorists” aimed at “rebellion” who have caused “fear among our citizens and a near breakdown of law and order in parts of the country”.

Much violence over recent years has been blamed on Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege”.

According to Human Rights Watch, the group has killed more than 2,800 people in an escalating campaign to impose strict Islamic law on largely Muslim northern Nigeria.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with a population of nearly 175 million according to the CIA World Factbook, and is the political and economic powerhouse of West Africa.

TRAGEDY: A Falling Tree Kills 31 Villagers In Imo State...16 Others Injured

2013-05-17T14:54:00.001+01:00

Internet Image...

Thirty-one persons have been killed and 16 others injured by a tree which fell down in a Nigerian village in Imo State. The tragedy occurred, during a rainstorm Thursday [May 16] night at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu LGA.

A resident of the community, Mr Nnaemeka Emenyonu, told NAN in Owerri that the tree fell on the affected persons around 8:00 p.m. He said the tree also destroyed the village hall.

The big tree fell suddenly on 31 people, who died at the spot and injured 16 others. Those injured were taken to hospital. The victims include two sisters, who sell tomatoes. Honestly, this is a saddest event in the history of our community, he said.

The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Godwin Duru, lamented that such a tragic incident had never occurred in the community.

I do not know what to say. God, what can we call this? My people were destroyed within a twinkle of an eye, what a pity! He lamented.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Joy Elemoko, declined comment on the incident after several efforts to get the command’s reaction to the issue.

In May 2011, a falling tree also killed Victoria Mimi, wife of the former chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina Alu, in the family home in Alu village, Benue State. The tragedy also occurred during a rainstorm.

PHOTOS: Jilted Cultist Stabbed Ex-Girlfriend To Death After RAPING Her In Ikorodu, Lagos State

2013-05-17T14:40:00.000+01:00

The late Rafiat Akinyemi

An alleged cultist has been arrested for stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death after raping her. PMNews reports that the suspect, Anuoluwapo Akinloye, 25, who lives at Segun Kehinde Street, Ogijo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, allegedly raped and stabbed Rafiat Akinyemi to death because she broke up with him.

According to the victim’s mother, Mrs. Rashidat Akinyemi, the girl, a devoted Muslim, had at the beginning of their relationship told the suspect that she can’t marry him because of his religion but the suspect converted to Islam and changed his name to Ismail and started going to the mosque.

The widow, who lost her husband two years ago, said the alleged cultist even applied for a post in the security department of the mosque but the mosque was still considering his offer before he carried out the heinous act.

Mrs. Akinyemi said when her daughter discovered that the suspect was a cultist, she ended the relationship but the suspect refused to let her go.

Mrs. Akinyemi said:

A few weeks before her death, Rafiat told me that the man threatened her life when she told him to keep away from her after discovering that he was a cult member.

I called Anuoluwapo and talked to him like a mother. I told him to take it easy with her and allow her concentrate on her education. Another member of the family also called the suspect and told him that marriage is not by force and that he should stop threatening her. That was just three days before the incident. We did not know that he planned to kill my daughter.

The widow alleged that on 30 April, she went to the market on Lagos Island and left Rafiat in the house. She said she instructed Rafiat to open their shop in front of their house as soon as she finished her house chores but when the mother came back around 2pm she found out that the shop was still closed. Mrs. Akinyemi said she was surprised and went inside the house to challenge her daughter but met her dead in their parlour.

The suspected cultist, Anuoluwapo Akinloye

She said she screamed and shouted for help. And when she looked closer at her daughter, she discovered that she was raped and stabbed to death.

The incident was reported at the Ogijo Police Station and a team of policemen later came to remove her corpse.

Mrs. Akinyemi disclosed that Anuoluwapo initially told the police that he did not act alone and that five others participated in the crime.

The mother said Anuoluwapo confessed that one person stayed at the entrance of the house while the remaining five went inside. His accomplices, she alleged, held the victim down while Anuoluwapo raped her and later stabbed her to death.

Mrs. Akinyemi appealed to the police to bring Anuoluwapo and his accomplices to book over the killing of her daughter.

PMNews learnt that the suspect has been transferred to the Ogun State Police CID Headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for interrogation.

RACISM: Mario Balotelli Will Be SENT OFF If He Leaves The Field In Protest Over Racist Chanting

2013-05-17T14:25:00.001+01:00

QUIET PLEA ... Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli has been told he will be SENT OFF if he leaves the field in protest over racist chanting. Earlier this week, the AC Milan striker said he would walk off if he was abused by fans again.

And Italian Referee’s Association president Marcello Nicchi has warned him against doing that - by saying he will be shown a RED CARD.

Milan play Siena away on Sunday evening and the Rossoneri are bracing themselves for more problems.

But Nicchi warned Balotelli:

Everyone is free to express their own opinions but there are rules. Whoever leaves the field to make a protest, without warning the referee or without being substituted will be sent off.

Less importance has to be given to this phenomenon as a media event and more importance from what can be done realistically, be tough and uncompromising with the idiots who sing these shameful chants.

The latest racism incident happened in AC Milan’s 0-0 draw with Roma on Sunday. Play was suspended for two minutes whilst officials and the stadium announcers tried to quell the chanting.

Balotelli said on Thursday:

If it happens one more time, I’m going to leave the pitch, because it’s so stupid. I was about to leave the pitch on Sunday but they are going to think that I wanted to leave because maybe we had some difficulty with the game.

I said it’s better we play and then we talk, but if it wasn’t for this reason I was going to leave the pitch.

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian Runs Errands With Her Mom Flaunts Baby Bump In White Dress…ANGELIC!!!

2013-05-17T08:50:00.001+01:00

Finally! Kim Kardashian has ditched her all black everything look. Well at least for the moment. The 7 months pregnant reality star was spotted alongside momager Kris Jenner on Thursday (May 16) afternoon as the two made their way into Naimie’s Beauty Center in LA.

Kris Jenner sure is giving her daughters a run for their money. Kris donning a smile rocked a white blouse, paired with leather pants and black peep toe booties while Kimmy looked beautiful opting for a white baby bump hugging dress and clear sandals for the outing.

Sheesh. Do you see how swollen Kim’s feet are? Just a couple of more months girl.

According to E! News, Kim’s baby shower is set for June 2nd and will be hosted by sisters Kourtney and Khloe.

Man To Die By Hanging For Killing Neighbour In Edo State

2013-05-17T08:31:00.003+01:00

An Abudu High Court near Benin, Edo State, yesterday [May 16] sentenced Sunday Ilawe to death by hanging.

Ilawe was convicted and found guilty for allegedly stabbing his neighbour, Blessing Ehigie on his neck and stomach, leading to his death.

According to Justice Uro Erameh, the incident happened on October 13, 2004 at Egua-Evbu Ehigie village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

Justice Erameh held that the prosecution counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Stella Okojie, called in five witnesses who proved the case against the convict as required by law.

The court also held that the convict was arrested at the scene of crime with the knife he used to commit the offence, adding that he also made confessional statement to the police.

While noting that the confessional statement alone was enough to send the convict to jail, Justice Erameh further held that the defence failed to prove its submission that the convict had mental problem.

How My Girlfriend Conspired With Others To Kidnap Me...Collecting N5 Million Ransom In Lagos - British Trained Nigerian

2013-05-17T08:12:00.000+01:00

A British trained Nigerian, Ayodele Olaoye, 28, yesterday [May 16] told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos State how a female friend, Esther Phillips, conspired with others to kidnap, torture and rob him.

Phillips was arraigned alongside Patricia Nna, Kingsley Okonwa, Osita Adigwe, Uzochukwu Ezioha, Jude Sunday and Michael Olarenwaju on March 5 on a five count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and neglect to prevent felony preferred against them by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Testifying at the resumed hearing of the trial, Olaoye, a graduate of Greenwich School of Business Management, United Kingdom, told Justice Olabisi Akinlade that N5 million ransom was collected from his parent by the suspects.

Led in evidence by Mr. Ade Ipaye, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Olaoye said he met Phillips sometimes in February 2012 at Pegas Club in Opebi, Lagos.

He said the first defendant (Philips) gave her name as Jane and claimed to be a student of Lagos State University (LASU).

He said he had sex twice with her and thereafter struck friendship with her.

Speaking further, he said on April 22, 2012, she urged him to visit her hostel in LASU and he agreed because he “trusted her”.

Olaoye said:

I drove my Nissan Muranno jeep to pick her up at GTB Bank in Opebi and we started moving towards LASU with Miss Phillips giving the directions. We later picked up Nna (second defendant) at Dopemu. She told me that the lady was her school mate.

After driving for some time, they told me to stop at an isolated place because they were feeling pressed.

The witness said immediately he stopped the car, the trio of Okonwa, Adigwe and Ezioha, entered the car through the back door. Olaoye said they were armed with a battle axe and knives and dragged him to the back seat.

They took my mobile phone, wrist watch and necklace. “After, I was tied up, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination by the first to fifth accused persons.

They told me to cooperate or they will kill me. Phillips specifically told me to try and convince my parents to pay the money or the guys will kill me.

Justice Akinlade, however, adjourned the matter till May 17 for cross examination.

Lagosians Spend Over N1 Billion On Parties & Entertainment Every Month – Lagos State Govt

2013-05-17T07:54:00.001+01:00

Looking for new naira notes? Go to parties

Lagos State Government says residents of the state spend over N1bn on parties and entertainment every month. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, said this on Thursday [May 16] at the briefing of the ministry in Alausa, Ikeja.

Kuye, while responding to a question on the validity of Merriment Tax being collected by local governments in the state, said the figure was a product of a recent research conducted by the state’s Ministry of Economic Planning and Budgeting.

He said:

There is merriment tax in the constitution; it’s part of the rate local governments can collect. We have not utilised the benefit of the entertainment industry in this state.

Over N1bn is spent monthly in Lagos State on entertainment. We have the records to confirm this and these people, how many of them pay taxes? The money goes into drinks, wine, food and aso-ebi and nobody wants to pay anything to the government.

He said the benefits of entertainment industry had not been fully utilised in Lagos and the country, adding that taxes that should accrue to the government were spent on social gatherings.

BOMSHELL! Soft-Porn Actress Afro-Candy To Star Uche Ogbodo, Cossy & Anita Joseph In Her Next “Soft Porn Movie”

2013-05-17T07:33:00.000+01:00

Soft Porn Actress, Afro-Candy

Controversial American based Nollywood actress, Judith Okpara Mazagwu popularly known as Afro-Candy who last week released the trailer of her soft-porn movie, “Destructive Instinct” has revealed her plans to star the likes of Uche Ogbodo, Cossy Ojiakor and Anita Joseph in her next soft-porn movie.

The actress dropped the bombshell on her facebook page. She called on Nollywood producers to follow her footsteps by venturing into the production of soft-porn movies for the African market.

According to her:

I was planning to cast Uche Ogbodo in my next movie before she went public. I also have in mind to cast Cossy Ojiakor and Anita Joseph in my next production. You guys can copy me.

“Destructive Instinct” which is currently greeted with mixed-reactions from fans featured the 41-year old mother of 2 completely nude in sexually explicit positions as she tries to make a daring impact on the industry. Shortly after the release of the movie online, one of the major actors threatened fire and brimstone, as he has asked Afro-candy to either remove the trailer from the internet or have his scenes deleted.

LEFT: Anita Joseph, RIGHT: Cossy Ojiakor

Afro-Candy said, “the actor claimed he had been chased out of his home by his baby mama, and is threatening her to take them all down”.

UPDATED: Uche Ogbodo Reacts To Afro-Candy's Offer To Star In Her Porn Movie

Uche Ogbodo

Her statement below:

I, Uche Ogbodo, emphatically state that I am an actress and not a porn star. The fact that I was just experimenting and having fun with the 'Lady Gaga' red hair photo shoot is not an excuse for the likes of AfroCandy to insult me.

If I ever decide to strip in a movie, trust me, it'd be worth it like Halle Berry did in Monster's Ball and Swordfish. Right now I am in talks with a reputable artiste management outfit to represent me and re-invent myself.

Uche Ogbodo.

OVERWORKED: Chinese Office Worker Drops Dead At His Desk From Exhaustion...After Working Until 11pm Every Night For A Month

2013-05-16T21:34:00.000+01:00

Overworked: Stressed out Chinese advertising worker Li Yuan died of a heart attack in his office aged just 24

An overworked Chinese advertising employee died of a heart attack in his office aged just 24 - after working until 11pm every night for a month.

Li Yuan worked at the Ogilvy & Mather China office in Beijing before he died.

At around 5pm on Monday he stood up, cried out in pain before collapsing onto the ground, according to a report in the Yangzi Evening News.

Li poses for a picture on a social media page. He had reportedly been working overtime for a month and not leaving the office until 11pm every day

He was rushed to the Peking Union Medical College, where he was confirmed dead. Doctors said he had suffered a heart attack.

The company confirmed that one of its employees had died through its Twitter account yesterday.

The tweet read: 'Unfortunately the sad news is true, Beijing has lost 1 of our own. 'He was loved by all of us. Thank u for your kind msgs.'

Unfortunately the sad news is true. @ogilvypr Beijing has lost 1 of our own. He was loved by all of us. Thank u for your kind msgs
— Ogilvy China (@OgilvyChina) May 15, 2013

China has now overtaken Japan as having the highest number of deaths related to overworking. Nearly 600,000 Chinese workers die from 'exhaustion' each year, according to a report from last year in the official newspaper of the Communist Youth League, The China Youth Daily.

Most of the deaths are caused by stress-related heart attacks and strokes.

Symptoms associated with such deaths include insomnia, anorexia and abdominal pains.

Benitez: Jose Mourinho Will Get £100m To Spend As He Makes An Emotional Return To Chelsea This Summer

2013-05-16T21:16:00.001+01:00

Jose Mourinho will be handed a £100million war chest this summer, according to Rafa Benitez. The Special One is all set for an emotional return to Chelsea this summer as Benitez's replacement.

And the Spaniard believes owner Roman Abramovich will hand Mourinho a megabucks transfer kitty.

The outgoing interim Blues boss told Spanish radio Onda Cero:

What I am sure about is that next season Chelsea will be much better because they will spend £100m and they will sign three or four players.

The foundation is already there. The future is bright for them. I don’t know who the next coach will be, I am not the one who should say, even though everyone speculates the same person.

Benitez was speaking after guiding to Chelsea to Europa League glory against Benfica last night.

And the ex-Liverpool chief insists he will leave Stamford Bridge having turned around the form of his squad — in particular striker Fernando Torres, who scored the opener in Amsterdam.